Residents urge council to prioritize small businesses, equity and better treatment of citizens in public comments

Two residents used the citizen comment period to criticize what they described as a pattern of neglect and unequal treatment by city government and to call for greater support for small businesses and residents in crisis.

Sandra Weish, who said she has served on a committee since 2006, described recent election experiences as “a difficult time” and asked elected officials to be responsive to citizens. “This has been a trying time for me this election,” Weish said, and urged officials to “be for the people, not just allow the people to elect you.”

Calvin Barnett told the council many residents face debt, struggling small businesses and ongoing racial discrimination. He urged the council to redirect public resources toward communities in need rather than to projects or private interests. “We as a community deserve better,” Barnett said, and called for collaboration between police, nonprofits and residents to support those experiencing homelessness.

Both speakers encouraged the council to listen to and work with residents across economic lines; neither speaker proposed a specific ordinance or budget change during the remarks. The transcript records these remarks during the citizen-agenda portion of the meeting; no direct council action followed from the public comments in the recorded portion of the meeting.